I remember my mum collecting for Poppy Day. She spent about 2 weeks on it, going out regularly, more or less every day. She collected a small fortune for them and delivered it all to the British Legion. So when I was asked to help out I knew I I wanted to do it. And it was a very rewarding few hours. 
I set up at the back of the supermarket. Some people were very generous, handing over notes. And there is a huge variety of things to choose from to buy now. It’s mostly older people that volunteer to do it regularly, but it was also lovely to see soldiers out in the street and the station selling poppies.Young and old, believing in the same thing.
Lots of people stopped to chat, mostly women, as I guess many had lost beloved fathers, brothers and husbands in wars. A very dignified lady told me her husband had been French and was a Submariner, long dead. But every year she presented a wreath at the Cenotaph, wearing a special Poppy. Another lady said her grandfather had been sent to war at age 33 and been killed. Another had lost a young fiancé, but had married eventually. These were mostly very old people of course, who struck me with their strength and dignity at such an old age.
Some had relatives who had been sent home, seriously injured, never to properly recover…. One lady had a crocheted poppy, another had a poppy umbrella!
Some people walked by without even looking, but I decided not to judge them, perhaps they were lost in thought, or had bought 5 poppies already and lost them (like me!). And some seemed to genuinely not understand what they were! I have noticed that the wearing of poppies has reduced this year – such a shame in the 100th anniversary of the 1st World War. One chap told me it wasn’t customary in ‘his country’ but he wore it here out of respect – if only more were like him – including our own!
The most disappointing thing all morning was when a staff member told me they were not allowed to wear poppies….! Strange as they had allowed us to sell them there!? A customer who overheard told me ‘I hope this shop goes down the pan!’.
My own maternal grandfather never collected his medals – he had had enough by the time he got back and wanted no reminder of war. He had plenty of stories to tell about the ‘Yanks’ he met though – he was thoroughly impressed with them and taught us all their card games and slang!
What I loved most about collecting for Poppy Day was the enjoyment and reassurance that older people especially got from seeing us out selling them. They remember the sacrifices of a world war, even though they may have been children. Selling poppies certainly gets you thinking, and reminiscing, and seeing us stirs up many emotions in passers-by. It’s hard to not be upset by what some people lost…
I have said it before but will do so again – Poppies should always be red. The blessings bestowed on our country are overflowing. But if you reach down into our history, also overflowing is the blood of millions of our ancestors and those in recent wars – profusely and thickly and deeply – the earth is soaked in the blood of the slain. This Remembrance Sunday, when we stand silent, we will remember those who died, sacrificed and never came home, and those left behind.
I hope we never stop wearing our Poppies.
It is important to me to both honour those who gave their lives or suffered injury, mental or physical, serving out country and to help provide funds to support those currently in need. There is also the sense of national communion that the Remembrance Sunday parades provides.
I totally agree with the view that we should wear poppies, both to remember sacrifice but also to help ex armed service personnel in a small way financially.
I would never wear a white poppy, not because I am for war and against peace, but because the white poppy represents people who just simply oppose all that the red poppy stands for and represents.
Finally can I also mention the purple poppy, which I fully support and would recommend.
They are to remember all the magnificent animals, such as the mighty war horse, who also gave and sacrificed so much for us.
Yes I agree that the suffering and sacrifice of animals during the wars should be recognised. One of my great grandfathers worked in ‘remounts’ during the 1st world war, and formed an attachment to working with horses thereafter. We sometimes forget how terifying it must have been for them too.
I’ve been unable to wear a poppy for the last couple of years, as I haven’t been able to find anyone anywhere selling them!
While out and about on Saturday, I travelled to Northfield, Maypole and Kings Heath (all areas in the south of Birmingham), and whilst walking around the busy shopping areas there, looked in vain for anyone selling poppies (I know they don’t actually sell them, but you get my point) but to no avail.
It then occured to me that whilst on my travels, I had encountered very few people who were actually wearing them.
It’s quite sad really, but then again I know in my own heart that I do not need to wear a poppy to show respect, I can remember in my own individual way.
This morning at 11am, I stood in my back garden having a quiet ciggie, and at about 11:03am I could hear the distant sound of church bells chiming. I lost count how many times they rang, but I guess they rang them 100 times. Such a humbling moment.
We have British Legion people coming to the door who sell poppies and all newsagents and other small shops have them in this area. It sounds as though you do not have an active Legion branch in your area. We went to our church this morning and it was packed, 300 plus with standing room only for latecomers, the clock was silenced for 11am but the the bell ringers were active after the service with joyous peals.
Sounds lovely. How nice they come round to the door selling them too. Yes my church had services over 4 days – beautiful. And London is full of commemorations including the biggest of all – as you can see on the TV! But my worry, and that of many, including outside London is that we dont see Poppies being sold any more, except in bigger shops like supermarkets, and I think that partly explains why we so many people not wearing them. Its such a shame.
At university in the 40,s. There were many Ex-servicemen Who Were just respected , and never bothered by us kids who watched them in awe. They were Quiet but could swear a lot. There were also a lot of older girls wvo had done mens jobs but when the men came home, left and came to university. Usually Landgirls but also many from banks, munitions .
It was nice really, most men sort of clocked in at their old jobs. And waited until the girls had new jobs or produced babies( There were a lot around.) or came into education. There were of course some Nastinesses by unions. But the men themselves always sorted that out. The problems were usually Communists anyway who called themselve ‘conscienctious objectors’. Trying to stir up trouble We even had a few in the colleges. Not universally admired.